Blood, metabolic and oxidative profiles in cows during the transition period

Two hundred and twenty-five cows were randomly selected from organized and unorganized farms in the Jammu region of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. In these dairy cows, the serum biochemical and hema- tological parameters were studied from late pregnancy to the early postpartum period. The animals in the study were divided into three groups, with 75 animals in each group: group I (3 weeks pre-partum period), group II (3 weeks post-partum) and group III (dry animals), and subjected to hemato-biochemical and oxidative profiling. Whole blood samples and serum blood samples were collected for hematological, biochemical, and oxidative analysis, which in- cluded total proteins, glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, albumin, globulin, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and serum Ca, Mg, Na, K and P. Significant changes were observed in the biochemical and hematological parameters (RBCs, hemoglobin, MCV, MCHC, monocyte count and total proteins, albumin and globulin) between the pre- and post-partum periods. In regard to oxidative stress, there was an increase in MDA in group II (6.10±0.44) in comparison to groups I and III (6.07±0.57 and 5.54±0.34). Marked changes in hemato-biochemical and oxidative stress markers were reported during the period of late pregnancy and the onset of lactation, causing a significant effect on the dairy cows` health, immune status and disorder receptiveness.